30 Years Ago Michael Drummond Became the 1st Heart Failure Patient to be Successfully Bridged to a Donor Heart Transplant

In 1985, Michael Drummond desperately needed a heart transplant to save his life, but no donor heart was available. On Sept. 8, 1985, the Total Artificial Heart became the first long-term device to successfully bridge a dying patient to transplant.

Sep 2, 2015 4:30 PM ET

Campaign: SynCardia temporary Total Artificial Heart

Robert Jarvik, left, talks about the display of the first Total Artificial Heart used to bridge Michael Drummond to a successful donor heart transplant. Also attending the 1985 press conference are, from left, Dr. Mark Levinson, heart transplant patient Michael Drummond and Dr. Jack Copeland. © 1985 Arizona Board of Regents/The University of Arizona Health Sciences BioCommunications

›› See never-before published photos during and after Michael Drummond’s historic heart transplant.

The successful bridge to a donor heart transplant (BTT) 30 years ago revolutionized the treatment of end-stage biventricular (both sides) heart failure when Michael Drummond received a Total Artificial Heart implant -- a direct predecessor of the modern SynCardia temporary Total Artificial Heart (TAH-t)... click to read more

30 Years Ago Michael Drummond Became the 1st Heart Failure Patient to be Successfully Bridged to a Donor Heart Transplant

In 1985, Michael Drummond desperately needed a heart transplant to save his life, but no donor heart was available. On Sept. 8, 1985, the Total Artificial Heart became the first long-term device to successfully bridge a dying patient to transplant.

More from SynCardia Systems, Inc.

SynCardia Provides Update Regarding Voluntary Recall of Potentially Affected Freedom® Portable Drivers

SynCardia Provides Update Regarding Voluntary Recall of Potentially Affected Freedom® Portable Drivers

Never-before Published Photos: 30 Years Ago Michael Drummond Became the 1st Heart Failure Patient to be Successfully Bridged to a Donor Heart Transplant

What Makes a Donor Heart Available for Transplant Was Almost a ‘Deal Breaker’ for Pastor Who Needed One to Save His Life

What Makes a Donor Heart Available for Transplant Was Almost a ‘Deal Breaker’ for Pastor Who Needed One to Save His Life

The Start of SynCardia Total Artificial Heart Destination Clinical Study Wins Edison Awards’ Top Honor

1st U.S. Patient Discharged from the Hospital without a Human Heart Celebrates 5th Anniversary of Going Home with the Freedom® Portable Driver

SynCardia Systems, Inc. Honored With the 2015 Medical Company of the Year Award by Az Business Magazine